12-year-old Israeli uncovers rare gemstone during excavation

The find was made at Korazim, an ancient Jewish village located a few kilometers north of the Sea of Galilee.

By Shula Rosen

A 12-year-old Israeli student discovered a rare 1,500-year-old Nicolo gemstone during an archaeological excavation at Korazim National Park in the Galilee, a find that researchers say offers new insight into the status and wealth of some residents of the ancient village.

Alon Horowitz, a sixth-grade student at Ramat Korazim Regional Elementary School, uncovered the deep-blue stone while participating in an annual community archaeology program organized by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority in cooperation with Ariel University.

The gemstone, which dates to the Roman or Byzantine period between the 1st and 6th centuries CE, was likely once set in a piece of jewelry.

Horowitz made the discovery shortly before the excavation session ended.

“After three days of excavations, about 10 minutes before we finished, I was digging with a pickax and suddenly saw something blue, round and special,” Horowitz said in a statement released by the Parks Authority.

“I picked it up and showed it to the archaeologist. When I realized it was something rare, I felt really happy and proud.”

The find was made at Korazim, an ancient Jewish village located a few kilometers north of the Sea of Galilee.

The site was inhabited for approximately 1,000 years, beginning near the end of the Second Temple period around 2,000 years ago and continuing until the 11th century CE.

Archaeological remains from the Byzantine era at the site include a synagogue, ritual bath, winepress, olive press and additional agricultural installations associated with the period in which Talmudic sages lived.

Achia Cohen Tavor, director of the excavation on behalf of Ariel University, said the Nicolo stone was widely regarded during Roman times as a symbol of prestige and elevated social standing, The Times of Israel reported.

According to Tavor, the discovery may indicate that Korazim was home not only to farmers and laborers but also to residents of greater wealth and status.

The excavation was conducted as part of the annual educational archaeology initiative involving local students and professional researchers.